In this final episode of Association Rockstars, host Lowell Aplebaum and producer Amy Hager look back on five years of conversations with association executives who are shaping the future of mission-driven organizations. Together, they share how the show began in early 2020, the impact of 70+ episodes and 80+ guests, and the community that made it all possible.

Lowell also announces his upcoming podcast, The Association Evidence Project, launching January 2026, focused on helping association leaders navigate a volatile world with stronger, research-driven insights. Amy shares what’s next in her work supporting associations and mission-driven businesses with clear messaging and stronger positioning.

Thank you for being part of the Rockstars community. The full library of episodes will remain available at associationrockstars.com and on YouTube.

Association Rock On.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with association leaders shaping the future of their industries!

This year’s roundtable features:

- Chip Flater, Director of Information Technology at the National Science Teaching Association
- Jason Wampler, Managing Director of IT at the International Society of Automation
- Josie Hernandez, Account Executive at Bostrom
- Julia Miller, Director of Communications at Minnesota Credit Union Network
- Kate Fryer, CEO of the Endocrine Society
- Steven Stout, Executive Director of the Texas Society of Association Executives

Tune in to hear their insights on leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of associations in 2025.


Host and Founder: Lowell Aplebaum - CEO & Strategy Catalyst at Vista Cova
Producer and Operations: Amy Hager - Strategy Advisor at Vista Cova
Video and Audio Editing: Savannah Bragg
Music: Slow Burn by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

In this special episode of Association Rockstars, host Lowell Aplebaum sit down with leaders from Association Latinos, the dynamic grassroots community elevating Latino leadership and inclusion across the association industry.

Board members Josie Hernández, Carlos Cardona, Diana Dumitru, and Jay Carino share how a single conversation during Hispanic Heritage Month sparked a national movement. They discuss the lessons learned from launching a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3), what it takes to coordinate over 40+ active volunteers, and how listening, empowerment, and partnership have fueled sustainable growth.

You’ll hear how Association Latinos is shaping the future of associations through leadership development, mentorship, and authentic community-building — plus their plans for scaling impact with new membership models, governance frameworks, and technology systems.

If you’re passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, grassroots organizing, or building communities that last, this conversation is packed with insights, inspiration, and practical wisdom for association professionals everywhere.

Watch now to learn how Association Latinos is redefining what leadership looks like in the association world.
About our guests:
Carlos Cardenas, CAE, AAiP, incoming Board President of Association Latinos, champions Latino leadership and belonging in the association space. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Senior Strategic Consultant at DelCor Technology Solutions, he helps organizations innovate with purpose and stay rooted in culture.
Diana L. Dabdub is the Senior Director for Admissions and Recruitment Affairs at the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, where she develops and implements programs that support member institutions’ admissions activities, including oversight of the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) for 48 colleges of veterinary medicine, serving over 13,000 applicants and 80,000 applications annually. She also leads strategic admissions and recruitment initiatives, promotes careers in veterinary medicine, and directs marketing and virtual outreach for prospective applicants.
Jay Cariño has over 18 years of valuable experience in the association industry and currently serves as the Vice President of Membership Services at the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). He provides strong strategic leadership in this critical role that drives membership growth, innovation, and engagement to new heights.
Josie Hernandez is an Account Executive at Bostrom; Bostrom is an association management company. In this role, Josie works with her clients’ board of directors and staff to lead the execution of their mission, vision, and strategic plan.

Keywords: Association Latinos, Latino leadership, diversity and inclusion in associations, grassroots community, volunteer engagement, association management, nonprofit leadership, DEI initiatives, association professionals, building inclusive communities

Host and Founder: Lowell Aplebaum - CEO & Strategy Catalyst at Vista Cova
Producer and Operations: Amy Hager - Strategy Advisor at Vista Cova
Video and Audio Editing: Savannah Bragg
Music: Slow Burn by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

This real case study shows how a small-staff association moved from intuitive guessing to intentional, member-first communications. On Association Rockstars, Julia Miller, Director of Communications at the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN), shares the stages her team used to simplify work, scale back low-ROI channels, and raise engagement. Amy Hager adds a brief perspective from a communications audit—using data and buying patterns to guide strategy, email cadence, and event promotion timing.

You’ll hear what changed, what was scaled back, and what worked: a quick Monday briefing email, a deeper monthly story touch, lighter event promo aligned to member buying habits, and simple tracking of member mentions. Leave with a clearer lens, better questions for leadership, and ideas you can try within your current capacity.

Speakers

Julia Miller — Director of Communications, Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN)

Amy Hager — Association Rockstars co-founder; strategist offering a short audit-driven perspective

Join the community
Get invites to future sessions at associationrockstars.com

Host and Founder: Lowell Aplebaum - CEO & Strategy Catalyst at Vista Cova
Producer and Operations: Amy Hager - Strategy Advisor at Vista Cova
Video and Audio Editing: Savannah Bragg
Music: Slow Burn by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

In this episode of Association Rockstars, hear how NSTA’s “Atom” and ISA’s “Mimo” are reducing support tickets, driving engagement, and redefining digital service for associations. Host Lowell Aplebaum (CEO, Vista Cova) talks with two IT leaders who launched AI-powered knowledge assistants that are transforming how their members find answers, access resources, and connect with their organizations.
What you’ll learn in this conversation:
How NSTA’s “Atom” and ISA’s “Mimo” chatbots are reducing support tickets, improving search, and driving member engagement.
Real-world strategies for launching AI in associations — from board buy-in to cross-team collaboration.
Lessons learned on data accuracy, feedback loops, and balancing innovation with member trust.
How AI-powered tools can support both staff efficiency and member value.
Key considerations for ethics, sustainability, and future AI adoption in associations.
During the session, this recently released guide to facilitate strategic conversations about AI implementation within your organization was distributed. Thank you to the authors, Tori Miller Liu, Thad Lurie, and Alex Mouw, for providing it to share. https://myaiim.app.box.com/s/24by1fnuqojb14lxz1uk887ji29vmmb6

Whether you’re an association executive, IT professional, or membership leader, this episode shows how AI can boost member experience without sacrificing the human touch.

More about our guests:
Chip Flater, Director of Information Technology at the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). A mission-driven IT leader with 20+ years of experience, Chip has held leadership roles at the American Counseling Association, American Correctional Association, and National Restaurant Association. He holds a Master of Information Technology and is a three-time recipient of DCA Live’s Association Technology & Innovation Leader Award.

Jason Wampler, Managing Director of IT for the International Society of Automation (ISA). With 25 years in nonprofit and association technology, Jason holds AIMP, AAiP, and CAE certifications. Under his leadership, ISA received the 2025 Gold TRENDY Award for Best Product Launch for their AI-powered knowledge assistant, MIMO.

Stay in the loop for future Association Rockstars episodes at associationrockstars.com.

Host and Founder: Lowell Aplebaum - CEO & Strategy Catalyst at Vista Cova
Producer and Operations: Amy Hager - Strategy Advisor at Vista Cova
Video and Audio Editing: Savannah Bragg
Music: Slow Burn by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

In this powerful episode of Association Rockstars, host Lowell Aplebaum talks with two dynamic CEOs—Michelle Mills Clement (Chicago Association of REALTORS®) and Steven Stout (Texas Society of Association Executives)—about the real, behind-the-scenes work of shaping organizational culture.

Topics include:

• How to define and live out board values
• Strategies for integrating new board members into an established culture
• Building staff culture from the ground up
• Addressing cultural misalignment with care and clarity
• Empowering teams to lead culture at every level
• And why trust is the foundation of everything

Whether you lead a small team or a large staff, are navigating board transitions, or want to strengthen your organization’s leadership culture—this conversation is full of actionable insights.

Kate Fryer is the CEO of the Endocrine Society. Kate partners with the board of directors and other member leaders to develop strategies, achieve the organization's mission, and work with staff team members to ensure that all methods and programs are successfully implemented.


Host and Founder: Lowell Aplebaum - CEO & Strategy Catalyst at Vista Cova
Producer and Operations: Amy Hager - Strategy Advisor at Vista Cova
Video and Audio Editing: Savannah Bragg
Music: Slow Burn by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Watch as Lowell Aplebaum interviews Hester Ndoja, Matt Gruhn, Samyuktha Neeraja, Lindsay Currie, Jeff De Cagna, Joanna Pineda, and Christina Lewellen for the annual Association Rockstar's Roundtable to discuss 2024 reflections and their projections for 2025.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the association landscape, this Rockstar conversation offers valuable perspectives to help you close the year on a high note and prepare for 2025 with confidence. It is perfect for association executives, nonprofit leaders, and community builders looking to spark innovation and deepen connections.

Key Takeaways Include:

✨Celebrating milestones and shared brilliance from 2024.
✨Emerging trends in association management and member engagement.
✨Strategies to foster growth, collaboration, and impact in your organization.
✨Watch now and get inspired to lead your association to new heights!


Host and Founder: Lowell Aplebaum - CEO & Strategy Catalyst at Vista Cova
Producer and Operations: Amy Hager - Strategy Advisor at Vista Cova
Video and Audio Editing: Savannah Bragg
Music: Slow Burn by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b....